#WomansDay: From police duty to community crusader

Valery Govender’s passion for community led her to a lifetime of outreach work through her day job as a policewoman.

Despite recently retiring from her final police post as senior communications officer at King Shaka International Airport Saps, Valery has no plans to slow down.

She has already registered her Caring For Community non-profit, and remains in close contact with her previous stations, offering help to bridge the gap between the police and the communities they serve.

“I particularly believe in the police’s ability to educate on issues of women and child safety, gender based violence and human trafficking,” said Valery.

“That was part of my intention during my career as a warrant officer and remains so through my NPO, where I hope to give talks in schools and give back to the communities in the areas I used to work and live.”

Born and raised in Ottawa, near Verulam, Valery overcame a difficult upbringing where she lost both parents within a year of each other when she was just seven years old.

After beating the odds to rise through the police ranks, from admin clerk to senior communications officer, Valery hopes to inspire a new generation of women who have experienced similar challenges.

For her, solace and stability were found through work and faith and she continues to place a premium on both.

When not spending her mornings keeping fit in the gym, or volunteering, Valery is an active member of Grace Family Church Umhlanga.

For more information on Caring For Community, contact Valery at 083 488 3787.

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